Stephen Gately: grief stricken Boyzone members carry coffin in Dublin

Stephen Gately's grief-stricken Boyzone bandmates bore the coffin of their
late best friend during an emotional homecoming to Dublin that paid tribute
to his working-class roots.

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Boyzone members carry Stephen Gately's coffin into church in DublinPhoto: GETTY

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Hundreds of people lined the streets near the churchPhoto: GETTY

10:01PM BST 16 Oct 2009

After Boyzone appeared publicly for the first time since 33-year-old singer Gately'sdeath to speak of their loss, Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy were pallbearers for the singer as they carried his remains into the city centre church.

Gately's heartbroken parents Margaret and Martin were consoled by close family, his partner Andrew Cowles and Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, who paid respects at a private prayer vigil and wake in Dublin's north inner city late on Friday.

Hundreds of local people and fans lined streets near St Laurence O'Toole Church paying their own tribute to the West End star.

They blessed themselves and held candles as the coffin passed, before giving the local hero a round of applause.

The hearse was covered in a large spray of white lilies and three flower arrangements reading "Our Son", "Our Steo" and "Our Brother".

Resident Bernadette Manly said they had come out in support of Gately's parents, brothers Mark, Alan and Tony and devoted sister Michelle.

''You couldn't get better people,'' said Mrs Manly.

The Boyzone members, who are spending the night in the church, will perform at his funeral Mass tomorrow.

Reading a statement and flanked by his bandmates, who were arm in arm, Ronan Keating told reporters that the band and the Gately family were ''truly overwhelmed'' by messages of love and support.

''We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for each and every one of them.''

Looking weary, and with other band members covering their eyes with sunglasses, Keating said: "Last Saturday our world changed forever when we lost our friend and brother Stephen.

"We have come to Majorca today to accompany our pal on his final journey back to Dublin, where we know he will be given an unforgettable send off tomorrow.

"We'd like to thank the authorities here for their help and for the respect they have shown to our friend.

"Stephen and Andrew (Gately's partner Andrew Cowles) had chosen to make Majorca their second home and we know that Stephen loved the times they spent together here.

"The countless messages of love and support we have received this week have truly overwhelmed ourselves and the Gately family.

"We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for each and every one of them. We would also like to thank the media for respecting our privacy this week and ask that you continue to do so tomorrow.

"Stephen lived to perform and truly loved being centre stage.

"You can be sure he's looking down on us now wishing we'd move over so he could flash his smile for the cameras one more time.

"What the future holds for the four of us now is too hard to even think about. But we know that nothing will ever be the same without our dearest friend, Stephen... rest in peace, brother."

Gately's body will make its final journey home to Dublin today for his funeral and Boyzone will escort his remains from the Spanish island back to his heartbroken parents, Martin and Margaret.

Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy will stay overnight with Gately in St Laurence O'Toole's Church after a private service for family and close friends.

Thousands of fans, celebrities and dignitaries are expected at his funeral Mass at noon tomorrow.

Gately, 33, was found dead on the sofa in his apartment in Port Andratx on the island last weekend after a night out with Mr Cowles and friend Georgi Dochev.

A post-mortem examination found he died from natural causes.

Mr Dochev, who found the star's body, said he still does not know if he will attend Gately's funeral.

The 25 year-old, who had been friends with the singer since last summer, said his death has left him unstable.

"What happened that night is what happened. We know the autopsy results. He died a natural death," said Mr Dochev.

He said he has been comforting Mr Cowles during the week and admitted he has been nervous and stressed since the star's untimely death.

"I'm really scared of falling asleep now in case I don't wake up," he added.

Gerry Fay, of North Wall Residents Association, said everyone in the area was still in disbelief.

''When Stephen came home he was just Stephen, there was no big deal,'' said Mr Fay.

''He wasn't the Stephen they all talk about, he was just an ordinary person.''

Fans from as far away as Taiwan travelled to the Irish capital for the funeral. Wendy Lee spent £1,000 flying 7,875 miles to reach her idol's hometown.

''I want to say my final goodbye,'' said Miss Lee with tears in her eyes.

The 26-year-old, who says she has not eaten or slept since she heard the news of his death, added: ''Stephen was my favourite. I don't know why - he was just so lovely.''

Walsh has said family, friends and loved ones must celebrate Gately's life.

A funeral party catering for 450 invited guests will be held in the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge, on Saturday evening.

Old friends and neighbours stunned at the singer's sudden death have spent several days cleaning the nearby church, its grounds and surrounding area to make the terrace streets shine for the return of their son.

Gately's partner has asked that mourners make a donation to the Caudwell Children Charity, of which the pop star was an ambassador, instead of sending flowers.